Collection development for the library service to external students at the University of Queensland

Campbell J.O. (1988) Collection development for the library service to external students at the University of Queensland. Library Acquisitions: Practice and Theory, 123-4: 269-279. doi:10.1016/0364-6408(88)90026-9

For forty years a library service has been provided to degree external students in humanities subjects at the University of Queensland. A separate library collection with a dedicated staff continues to be maintained. This paper draws attention to the importance of adequate subject materials, a strong library collection and good bibliographies of available material. Acquisitions policy is stated and related to the achievement of adequate resources within constraints of budget, collection strength, lecturers' approach and subject material content, and cooperation is highlighted. Isolation of students from adequate alternative library collections is an influence on the library service from Thatcher, and use of other collections is considered in the context of efficiency and effectiveness.